SEARCA joins relief efforts for Typhoon Yolanda victims

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna — The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) joins the international community in efforts to help the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda (also known as Haiyan) which battered the central region of the Philippines, the Centerâ€™s host country, on 8 November 2013.

One of the strongest typhoons ever recorded to make landfall, Yolanda caused catastrophic destruction that left thousands of people dead, injured, and homeless.

SEARCA is responding by providing assistance through personal donations of cash, food, toiletries, and used clothes from its staff. These were turned over to the Philippine National Red Cross on 20 November 2013.

In addition, SEARCA's management and staff have decided to forego their anniversary and Christmas parties this year as well as the Center summer outing in 2014 so that the funds for these activities can be diverted to relief and recovery efforts. A portion of these funds was used to purchase six tons of rice, which were turned over to the Philippine Red Cross-Rizal Chapter, Muntinlupa City.

Moreover, 17 SEARCA staff members assisted the Philippine Red Cross in repacking relief goods at its Alabang office on 22 November 2013.

Other members of the SEARCA family, including scholars, alumni, and members of its Governing Board, are also contributing personal resources to the relief efforts.

Meanwhile, two long-time collaborators of SEARCA in its human resource development program — Georg-August University of Göttingen (UG) in Germany and Nagoya University (NU) in Japan — have also been moved to send financial aid to the typhoon victims and are looking to course their support through SEARCA.

Beyond the immediate crisis that requires emergency provision of basic necessities, SEARCA is planning to set up a rehabilitation project in an area severely affected by the typhoon.

Volunteers from among the SEARCA staff helped the Philippine National Red Cross in repacking relief goods at its Alabang office on 22 November 2013.